Ministers' Statements and Speeches

Vince McKay: Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission Assessment Rates 2025

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Mr. Speaker, the Workers’ Protection Fund provides no-fault insurance coverage for employers and benefits and care for workers in the event of a workplace injury.

All employers share the cost of this compensation system by making payments based on their assessable payroll, which is the amount of earnings they report for each worker, and the group rate for their industry.

Lucy Kuptana: Illegal Activity and Evictions in Public Housing

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Mr. Speaker, residents have noticed a significant increase in illegal activities across the territory and within public housing.

In particular, there has been an increase in drug use and sales. I am concerned that this behaviour is a risk to public safety, especially to Elders and children in our communities. Local Housing Organizations are actively looking for ways to address and report drug use and sales in public housing by working with the RCMP, the Rental Office, and residents.

Vince McKay: 2024 Canada 55+ Games

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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the participants who represented Team NT at the 2024 Canada 55+ Games that were held in Quebec City, Quebec from August 27 to 30, 2024. 

The Canada 55+ Games provide an opportunity for Team NT to engage and compete with other athletes from across Canada. In addition to being an athletic competition, these Games also provide an opportunity for participants to engage in other forms of competition and social activities with their peers.  

Caroline Wawzonek: General Rate Application

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Mr. Speaker, when the Public Utility Board, or PUB, accepted the terms of sale of the Hay River utility franchise to the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, or NTPC, earlier this year, it set a deadline of October 30 for the filing of a General Rate Application, or GRA, by all NWT utility companies. On Wednesday afternoon, NTPC filed a GRA Over the next several months, the PUB will review the application to ultimately determine whether the costs that NTPC has presented are reasonable and reflect the true cost to deliver electricity.

Lucy Kuptana: National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence

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Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about gender-based violence. Two out of 100 residents in the NWT have reported intimate partner and family violence to the police. As of 2019, Statistics Canada lists the NWT as having the second highest rate of police-reported intimate partner and family violence in Canada, and we know that not everyone reports these incidents to the police.

Women are disproportionally affected by gender-based violence.

Caitlin Cleveland: Update on Education Act Modernization

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Following portion will be spoken in Dene Kǝdǝ́

[Mr. Speaker, genuine education is rooted in place and culture, and it cannot be nurtured in isolation. As the guiding piece of legislation for our Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 education system, it is essential that the Education Act includes the voices and perspectives of Indigenous governments and our education partners.

Caroline Wawzonek: Northwest Territories Supply Chain Challenges and Solutions

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Mr. Speaker, I would like to provide an update on the challenges faced this year in maintaining the Northwest Territories' supply chain and the steps our government is taking to address them.

Our territory has been hit hard by a combination of record low-water levels, wildfires, rail disruptions, and added strain on our winter road systems. These issues have impacted the delivery of fuel, goods and services to our communities.

But, Mr. Speaker, I want to assure you and the residents of the NWT that we have taken decisive action.

Caitlin Cleveland: Investing in Healthy Food for Learning

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Mr. Speaker, when students have food security, they can focus on learning, growing, and participating within their school communities; and most importantly, on being kids.

To help students succeed, the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories are working towards signing a three-year funding agreement that will support the expansion of the NWT school food program: Healthy Food for Learning.

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